Giorgio Sanguinetti, author of 'The Art of Partimento', discusses his new book on Beethoven's piano sonatas. Topics range from Beethoven's performances, paradigm shift in music, pianos in Beethoven's time, sight-reading techniques, and different theories on music forms. The podcast also explores hermeneutics, historical performance practices, and the interpretation of Beethoven's music in the modern age.
Understanding the historical context and performing Beethoven's piano sonatas with musical meaning is crucial in honoring his genius.
Beethoven's dissatisfaction with contemporary pianos influenced his compositions and performances, emphasizing musical meaning over technical perfection.
The evolution of musical form in Beethoven's sonatas and the rise of hermeneutics have shaped our understanding and interpretation of his music.
Deep dives
The Piano Sonatas of Beethoven: A New Book by Professor Giorgio Sangwinetti
Professor Giorgio Sangwinetti returns to discuss his new book, The Piano Sonatas of Beethoven. The book is part of a larger project by the Italian Psychological Society to honor Beethoven. Sangwinetti's volume provides a general landscape for Beethoven pianists. It does not discuss specific sonatas in depth, as other volumes in the project will do. The book coincides with Beethoven's 250th birthday celebration and emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context and performing the sonatas with musical meaning.
The Evolution of Sonata Form and Beethoven's Approach
The podcast explores the current way we enjoy and perform Beethoven piano sonatas, characterized by reverence and a quiet audience. Sangwinetti discusses the historical evolution of sonata form and how it differed in Beethoven's time compared to the way we experience it today. He highlights Beethoven's use of chamber music to write music for skilled musicians and explores evidence of Beethoven performing his own sonatas in semi-private and public settings.
The Influence of Instruments and the Importance of Musical Meaning
The podcast delves into Beethoven's dissatisfaction with contemporary pianos and his desire for instruments that could fully realize the nuances in his music. Sangwinetti highlights how instrument capabilities influenced Beethoven's compositions and performances, emphasizing the importance of musical meaning over technical perfection. He explains the use of legato and parlante playing styles in expressing different musical ideas and discusses Beethoven's preference for composition and sight-reading skills over playing perfectly from memory.
Form, Musical Expression, and the Hermeneutics of Beethoven's Sonatas
The podcast explores the role of musical form in Beethoven's sonatas and the impact of Beethoven's music on the hermeneutics of the time. Sangwinetti discusses the paradigm shift in music where the concept of the musical work of art became unchangeable and the shift from improvisation to interpretation. He also touches on the rise of hermeneutics in understanding Beethoven's music and the criticism it received. The podcast further explores how musical form and expression evolved in Beethoven's different periods and his unique approaches to them.
The Contemporary Impact of Partimento and Counterpoint Teaching
Sangwinetti reflects on the surge of interest in partimento studies and its current popularity. He suggests that partimento can be learned through books, online resources, and participation in online communities. He also highlights the importance of finding a teacher for more comprehensive learning. Additionally, he discusses the potential integration of partimento and counterpoint teaching, recommending using Johann Fuchs' writings as a starting point for studying counterpoint.
It’s a huge honor to have the great Professor Giorgio Sanguinetti return to the program for his 2nd appearance. He is the author of the award-winning book “The Art of Partimento” which was published in 2012 which won the Wallace Berry Award from the Society of Music Theory and today we will talk his new book “Le Sonate per pianoforte di Beethoven. Genere, forma, espressione” published by Libreria Musicale Italiana.
0:51 Why did you pick the subject of the piano sonatas of Beethoven for this book? 2:26 Did you play many of the piano sonatas yourself over your career? 3:38 Introduction to Beethoven’s piano sonatas 7:03 Did Beethoven play the sonatas live for audiences? or was it more for sale for private use? 11:35 What is the paradigm shift that took place? 15:29 How were the pianos in Beethoven time? 18:42 What should someone do to get better at sight-reading? 19:46 How did Beethoven play his own sonatas? 22:29 Did the Italians ever talk about form, how did they teach it? 23:38 How would Beethoven have thought about the form of his piano sonatas? 28:04 Beethoven and Adolph Bernhard Marx 31:01 Marx’s radical view of music theory 32:09 What were Beethoven’s politics? 33:52 The rise and decline of Formenlehre 37:36 What was the criticism of Formenlehre? 39:34 Edward T. Cone and the Sonata Principle 40:32 What were the essential differences between William Caplin and Hepokoski/Darcy’s theories? 42:45 What about Hepokoski and Darcy’s theory? 45:59 Hermeneutics 49:38 Religion and Hermeneutics 51:20 Topic Theory 54:13 Did Beethoven ever write introductory explanations about his sonatas? 55:50 Schemas 1:00:10 Beethoven’s metronome markings 1:02:26 Werktreue 1:05:22 Should performers today play the score of these piano sonatas with complete faithfulness to the intention of the composer? 1:07:01 How do you feel about the great surge in interest in partimento recently? 1:08:33 What’s the best way to learn partimento? 1:10:11 Is there a best starting collection of partimenti that beginners should start with? 1:12:12 How should someone learn written counterpoint? 1:13:31 Is partimento useful in the modern age with newer contemporary styles? 1:16:55 How should partimento be integrated into music education? Can it complement other theories or should it be taught on it’s own? 1:18:38 On Partimento not having to be an opposing method to other methods of analysis and music education 1:19:56 Wrapping up and upcoming events/projects
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